Walking apparatus for the lame



Feb. 20; 1923.

, 1. F. WELTER. WALKING APPARATUS FOR THE LAME.

' men MAR. 31. 1921.

Fatented Feb. 20, 1923.

UNITED STATES J OHANNES FRANCISCUS WELTER, OF UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS.

WALKING APPARATUS FOR THE LAIME.

Application fil ed March 31, 1921. Serial No. 457,455.

(GRANTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1 921, 41 STAT. In: 1313.)

2' '0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JoHANNns FRANCISOUS WnL'rER, citizen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, andresiding at Utrecht, Holland, Netherlands, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Walking Apparatus for the Lame (for which I have filed applications in the Netherlands February 2, 1918, Serial No. 9388, patented July 16, 1919, No. 4074; Germany, filed April 19, 1919, Serial No. 62,466, patented December 22, 1919, Patent No. 319,343; France, filed May 24, 1919, No. 10646, patented August 28, 1920, No. 509971; England, May 23, 1919, No. 13027/19, patent issued December 24, 1919, No. 132,477; Belgium, filed March 15, 1920, No. 228,608, patent issued under No. 228,608; Switzerland, filed Marchll, 1920, No. 4570, patent issued November 30, 1920, No. 88,465 Czechoslovakia, filed March 29,

1920,,No. 18209; Austria, March 19, 1920,

No. A 1398; Hungary, March 20, 1920, No. M 6729; Italy, filed March 18, 1920, No. 9/40; Spain, filed March 26, 1920, and Poland, filed March 27, 1920, No. 4577), of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved walking apparatus worn by 'the'la me and sufferers from infantileparalysis, in consequence of which the leg or legs can only be brought forward with difficulty, as the leg whilst walking may give way and the patient will fall over every little obstacle he meets on the road,

Several forms of such apparatus are known. One kind of these devices consists in the connection of the thigh and calfpiece by. one or more stifi' bars which will support the leg whilst walking but do not assist the calf in moving forward, which help the lame specially need.

Another kind of known device consists in a double set of sleeves which surround the thigh and calf. These sleeves, made ofthin metal and lined at the innerside, may be closed by straps or the like and be connected together by means of hinged bars, of which the hinge can be fixed in every position. A great disadvantage of these devices is that they do not permit the patient to bend the knee whilst walking so that he cannot mount or descend a stair or sit down without loosening the hinge.

It has alreadybeen proposed, for the purpose of moving the calf forward, to use a straight spring. I

it The improvedapparatus consists of a thigh and calf sleeve connected together by means of one or more yielding strips or spr ngs which are adapted to press the calf sleeve forward, whilstthis sleeve is so con structed that it yieldingly embraces the calf and may be shifted easily therealong.

The subject matter of'the invention is to provide a yielding and flexible device which does not hinder the free movement of the leg to a great extent whilst walking, of a very light constructio-n,and which does not contain stiff bars or the likefnor hinges which must be loosened to enableone to mount or descend a stair or to sit down. An important advantage of the apparatus with respect to others of the same kind must be considered that it does 'not' only supportthe leg but it also assists to move the calf forward, whereby a result is attained whichv cannot be obtainedby'any known other defvice.- The flexibility and elasticity, the light construction and the easy wear enable the patient to approach the normal walk and to walk for hours without becoming. tired.

In order that the invention may be better understood references will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which :-Fig. 1 is a perspective View of my improved walking apparatus. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective of the thigh cushion. Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of the spring 11.

On the drawing a sleeve 1 forms the thighpiece made of thin metal or other suitable material and lined at the innersidewith felt or the like, and at the outer side provided with another material to prevent wear of the trousers. i v

The thigh-piece is open at the frontside and provided with. laps 2 having eyelet holes 3 through which a lace may be passed. A cushion 4 serves to soften and is adapted to be placed on the thigh in the opening of the thigh sleeve before fastening the lace.

The sleeve 5 forming the calf piece is made of the same material as the thigh sleeve and is also open at the front so that it may be applied to the leg from the backside, at which side it is connected by means of a straight or somewhat bent fiat spring 7 fixed by rivets 4 or the like to'the backside of the thigh-piece 1. This calf piece surrounds the calf and adapted to move along the calf owing to its elasticity and smoothness, so that it does not pinch and hinder whilst walking.

Over the spring 7 another shackle-shaped strong flat spring 8 is arranged which also is attached by means of rivets 6. This spring in co-operation with the spring 7 is strong endugh to press the calf piece forward always, so that in the inoperative position of the calf piece it takes the position with reference to the thigh-piece shown in the drawing. orof thecomhined springs 7 and 8, which are situated at the height of the knee-hole, is so strong that on lifting up the foot, the calf will be pressed forward by the springs which assists the lame considerably whilst sleeves.

In some cases'it may be necessary to in-- crease the force of the spring 8, for 1nstance, whilst walking. on bad roads or the like. I or this purpose some loose springs 11 are included with the apparatus, which may be attached to and removed easily.

They are therefore provided at theend with notches 12 and are adapted to be placed along the inner side of the spring 8 whereby the ends bear against rivets 13 and. 14, whereas the notches engage in these rivets.

The drawing shows that the Whole apparatus is light and can be applied rapidly to the leg whilst no special expedients are necessary to enable the patient to mount or descend a stair or to sit down. The apparatus may also be used ,by persons with an artificial leg, I

It is obvious that the invention is not restricted tothe described form of execution, though this has appeared in practice to be the most preferable form and any alternations may be applied without interfering with the invention and thesprings' prefer- The tension of the spring 8 ably made of steel may be made of another material. The form and arrangement of the springs may be altered and the spring 7 could be omitted. The sleeves 1 and '5 also may be formed otherwise. The rollers 9, may be replaced by balls or the like and arranged at another side instead'of at the backside. Instead of two, one or three or more rollers may be used.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim is V 1. Improved walking apparatus for the lame, comprising a thigh. sleeve having means to secure the same in place, a calf sleeve arranged for engagement with and sliding movement on the calf, and a spring bar on the rear sides of said sleeves and connecting them together inspaced relation, said spring bar exertingiits" tension to 'constantly press the calf sleeve forwardlygvhile permitting said sleeve to move slidingly on the calf of the user.

2. Improved walking apparatus for the lame, comprising a thigh sleeve having means to secure the same in place, a calf sleeve arranged for engagement with and sliding movement on the calf, anda spring bar on the rear sidesof said. sleeves andconnecting them together in spaced relation, said spring bar exerting its tension to constantly press the calf sleeve forwardly, while permitting said sleeveto moveslidingly on the calf of the user, said calf sleeve having means in its rear side to -minimize friction on the calf. a g- .3. Improved walking apparatus for the lame, comprising a thigh-sleeve having means to secure .the same in -place,-a calf sleeve arranged for engagement with and sliding movement on the calf, and a spring bar on the rear sides-ofsaid sleeves and con necting them together in spaced relation, said spring bar exerting its "tension to constantly press the calf sleeve forwardly, while permitting said sleeve to move slidingly on the calf of the user, and a reinforcing spring bar of arcuate form, on the rear side of the first named spring bar and having itsends attached thereto.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 

